Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 16, 1905.djvu/184

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I have found it necessary to devise a simple method of representing the differences between individual cimarute. The following table will I hope be found helpful in the description not only of the charms at present under consideration but also of such other objects, like the mano pantea and the Barone lamps, which are composed of varying elements.

The composition of the cimaruta is represented by a constitutional formula in which the emblems are represented in order from left to right by their initial letters, and a series of brackets is employed to indicate mutual relationship of parts.

The following examples will make this clear.

Fig. 2 iii. (Plate XIV.) is represented as H (F).

(A Hand holding a Flower.)

R₃ (H—M—H—K—H).

Rue sprig with 5 branches supporting in order from left to right a Hand—Moon—Hand—Key—Hand.

R₃ (H (F) K . bM Cock b Cock (F) b . b).

In this charm one Flower is held in a Hand and a second by a Cock. A second Cock is supported by the Moon. The two points divide the symbols into the three groups borne on the branches of the rue.

A dotted symbol, thus, Ṁ, signifies that the loop for suspension is present.

Elements of usual occurrence.

1. Rue. Symbol R.

2. Hand. H.

a. Mano cornuta.

b. Mano fica.

c. Mano pantea.

The hand is also occasionally found in other positions, but the mano fica position is the only one which occurs in cimarute.